For all you that had sons recruited for college baseball, after your final high school season did your son continue to play travel ball or did you stay closer to home? Legion ball or something similar
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Stayed fully focused on travel ball trying to stay as sharp as possible hoping to earn a starting position in the lineup.
Every day you are not working hard, someone else is working harder trying to get your spot.
Every day you are not working hard, someone else is working harder trying to get your spot.
MY SON PLAYED ON A LOCAL TEAM COMPRISED OF COLLEGE AND EX COLLEGE PLAYERS
Older son continued to play on his travel team including games on the other side of the country. He also played on the USA 18U team in Taiwan. The main reason for the travel team thing was that he had been drafted and was still being evaluated by the MLB team. This did garner a pretty good offer but he still went on to college.
Younger son played for local Palomino team. A little bit of travel, not much. This is what we wanted. The downside was that he was the best pitcher they had and thus was probably a little overused and seemed tired at the end of summer.
In my mind, neither was right or wrong....just different. I would say if your son is a position player he needs to get ABs. If a pitcher, you should control innings better than I did.
Younger son played for local Palomino team. A little bit of travel, not much. This is what we wanted. The downside was that he was the best pitcher they had and thus was probably a little overused and seemed tired at the end of summer.
In my mind, neither was right or wrong....just different. I would say if your son is a position player he needs to get ABs. If a pitcher, you should control innings better than I did.
Legion for our son. It would probably be a good idea to have your son talk with his college coach to determine what the expectations are for the fall. Many schools expect the players to be in baseball shape to compete at a high level during the fall workouts/scrimmages. I think that's probably most important for freshmen trying to make an impression.
They had the whole class come in for 2nd session summer school. NCAA allows schools to bring guys in for that and pay for it, to get them acclimated a little bit. So, for the one summer session, he was on the proverbial "full ride" 
. It was a good deal. Got 6 hours of credit, off to a good start with the GPA, and 6 weeks working with the strength coach and using the facilities for hitting, throwing, etc. Also was good for the incoming class to bond with each other.
quote:Originally posted by Lefty's Dad:
They had the whole class come in for 2nd session summer school. NCAA allows schools to bring guys in for that and pay for it, to get them acclimated a little bit. So, for the one summer session, he was on the proverbial "full ride"
This has become commonplace (even earlier) for football and basketball and I believe it will for other sports too. Highly recommend it if your son's college provides this opportunity.
Ask the coach what he prefers.
Pitchers don't need the extra mileage, I am sorry my son didnt do the same as leftys son.
Pitchers put in a lot of time junior year, senior summer and senior season. Don't let anyone tell you they don't need a break.
Pitchers don't need the extra mileage, I am sorry my son didnt do the same as leftys son.
Pitchers put in a lot of time junior year, senior summer and senior season. Don't let anyone tell you they don't need a break.
30 games in the summer is not a heavy load
My son is a pitcher and took the summer off. He had tweaked his elbow in the HS season and wanted to rest it up and be fresh for the fall. Glad he did it, as TPM said, I don't think the pitchers need the extra miles.
My son (pitcher) played with the same travel team as the year before. He couldn't wait to get back with "his boys" and I must admit that I was anxious to see the parents that I had met. Not as much travel as the year before but had one big tourney away from home that was our family vacation. Worked out great.
Son played with his Travel team. Most of the team was committed and played Connie Mack ball. They also played in the Palomino Regionals.
The high school team had one last hurrah together playing Legion. Half the starters had played travel starting with 13U.
My son (a position player) played all summer in a collegiate league. The only gripe he had for that summer was that the league and its coaches didn't really provide or help with any kind development support. Other than that, my son felt he had a good experience.
Our son played legion ball until late July. The legion team got a late start due to the HS team's playoff run - won the district championship, were regional runner ups and were 2 outs away from advancing to the final four - lost in the state quarterfinals. He suffered a hand injury (playing catcher he was cleated at the plate - 12 stitches - all healed) just prior to the legion teams district tournament.
The college (JUCO) team played 20 games in the fall. He had 7 at bats and had 3 hits - not bad for a freshman. Got 13 innings in the field defensively. He's 1 of 5 1B for the college team.
Went back to college tonight. Classes start later this morning. Baseball meeting Tuesday. Season starts in early February.
The college (JUCO) team played 20 games in the fall. He had 7 at bats and had 3 hits - not bad for a freshman. Got 13 innings in the field defensively. He's 1 of 5 1B for the college team.
Went back to college tonight. Classes start later this morning. Baseball meeting Tuesday. Season starts in early February.
Legion. Son is a college pitcher. He got a Legion pitching start every week, and played the field/hit in the other games. Also, he worked out (Coach sent workout routine) and worked a job for college money. Since he was going to school 8 hours away, we thought sticking around home for the summer was a great option.quote:For all you that had sons recruited for college baseball, after your final high school season did your son continue to play travel ball or did you stay closer to home? Legion ball or something similar
Played in the state select games vs North Carolina (we won both 
)...Then shut it down and focused on physical conditioning. Did continue to throw (long toss, etc.), but not actually pitch. Actually, started college summer school (his whole class came in) at the end of June. So, their conditioning and throwing was very structured.
)...Then shut it down and focused on physical conditioning. Did continue to throw (long toss, etc.), but not actually pitch. Actually, started college summer school (his whole class came in) at the end of June. So, their conditioning and throwing was very structured.
Did Travel ball just not as much. his college coach wanted him in competitive form to compete in the fall. He played a little more first and outfield. As others have said, ask the college coach. Your son is theirs after high school. Do what they want.
Did alot of running and rested the arm . Came into fall ready to rock .
My sons coach didnt leave the decision to chance..communicated to his incoming class that they should play and come into the fall in competitive shape....
My son played Legion......
My son played Legion......
Legion for my son and the other 5 from his HS team that are playing in college this year (2 D1 and 4 D3).
Combination of Legion, an amateur league team with players ranging from college to mid-30s, and a brief run with a local travel team of incoming college players pulled together for a single tournament. He had a blast that summer, and played a ton of competitive ball. And thankfully it was a ton cheaper than the previous few years.
Mine had a couple of opportunities to play some travel ball, but decided forego that in order to condition/prepare on his own for the month prior to the "early entry" session at his "college"...which happened to be 7 weeks of basic training. 
My son was still 17U eligible so he stayed with the travel team that consisted of about half high school seniors to-be and half HS graduates. They played the typical travel schedule of Georgia and at a few colleges.
It was one last chance to do what he loved to do in the summer....travel baseball. Although it cost me a few bucks I didn't need to spend. But I enjoyed those years as much as he did.
It was one last chance to do what he loved to do in the summer....travel baseball. Although it cost me a few bucks I didn't need to spend. But I enjoyed those years as much as he did.
Thanks everybody , college coach basically said reps. We all know reps are different at different competition levels. Would love to stay close to home and still play at a high level but that is hard to do in Wisconsin . Chicago here we come for the 4th straight summer!
My son Played with an 18U travel team that was focused on getting kids ready to play for their colleges. They used BBcor bats even though the tournaments did not require them.
He actually played for this team after his Freshman college team because they played against better talent than the Local college wood bat teams he was invited to play on.
He actually played for this team after his Freshman college team because they played against better talent than the Local college wood bat teams he was invited to play on.
Lodi- Wisconsin is a hotbed of great baseball in the summer!! Home of the Northwoods league, some of the best summer college ball to be had. I'm pretty sure they allow incoming college freshmen to play. Do you know any coaches or owners of NWL teams? It might be worth asking around to see if there are any teams that need players- even if it's just for the beginning of the season until all the college players report. Your son will be exposed to a high level of baseball that will help him transition to the college game.
It's worth checking it out! Good luck.
It's worth checking it out! Good luck.
CaBB
Are you sure incoming freshman play in the Northwoods Collegiate League? I would be shocked if that were so. It is difficult enough for college players to find a position in these leagues, much less a player who has not attended college yet.
The Northwoods League is a pretty desireable destination though, to be sure!
They key is to get your at bats if you are a position player and rest your arm but doing core and leg work if you are a pitcher.
I would never consider taking the summer off though.
Are you sure incoming freshman play in the Northwoods Collegiate League? I would be shocked if that were so. It is difficult enough for college players to find a position in these leagues, much less a player who has not attended college yet.
The Northwoods League is a pretty desireable destination though, to be sure!
They key is to get your at bats if you are a position player and rest your arm but doing core and leg work if you are a pitcher.
I would never consider taking the summer off though.
Son played in Cal Ripken College Wood Bat league the summer after high school.
No I'm not sure they allow incoming freshmen to play in the NWL but it's worth it to check into. Many of the leagues need temporary players until all the signees show up.
Mine took several weeks off and then enrolled in his university's second session of summer school. Five or six of his upcoming teammates were there; so, it gave him an opportunity to meet and get to know them before fall baseball.
All of them worked out daily; including time in the weight room with the team's strength coach and periodic bullpen sessions. He went into fall baseball in the best shape of his life.
All of them worked out daily; including time in the weight room with the team's strength coach and periodic bullpen sessions. He went into fall baseball in the best shape of his life.
Son played Legion and with a travel team in a local "travel" league...got in lots of baseball at low cost and got to hang out at home...some of the kids he'd played with since 8...he had a great time and got in good work...didn't seem to hurt his progress any...
The following was meant to be posted in the thread about Sparq test. Don't know what happened, but I'm using an IPad and don't know how to change it. Could someone do that. Thanks!
We used Sparq testing at our 2006 National Showcase. We haven't used it since then. Problem was the top Sparq score was by a player that was not one of the top 200 prospects at that event. We found out later that the player had done the Sparq testing before and he actually trained at the Sparq testing. He went on to play college ball but not sure he ever became a starter.
In that very same showcase were players like Jason Heyward, Rick Porcello, Peter Kozma, Freddie Freeman, Anthony Rizzo and 6 more that have already made it to the Big Leagues. In attendance that year were 23 1st rd picks, 11 2nd rd picks and 48 others that went from round 3 to 10. You can look it up if interested in all the names. Just check the PG National Showcase page and scroll down.
Once again, the highest Sparq score at that event was by a player that went undrafted out of HS and out of college. Good player, but not even close to the best player there. Of course, hardly any of the others had done the Sparq test before that event.
We used Sparq testing at our 2006 National Showcase. We haven't used it since then. Problem was the top Sparq score was by a player that was not one of the top 200 prospects at that event. We found out later that the player had done the Sparq testing before and he actually trained at the Sparq testing. He went on to play college ball but not sure he ever became a starter.
In that very same showcase were players like Jason Heyward, Rick Porcello, Peter Kozma, Freddie Freeman, Anthony Rizzo and 6 more that have already made it to the Big Leagues. In attendance that year were 23 1st rd picks, 11 2nd rd picks and 48 others that went from round 3 to 10. You can look it up if interested in all the names. Just check the PG National Showcase page and scroll down.
Once again, the highest Sparq score at that event was by a player that went undrafted out of HS and out of college. Good player, but not even close to the best player there. Of course, hardly any of the others had done the Sparq test before that event.
PG do you think sparq tells you the full story on a baseball player?
quote:Originally posted by jerseydad:
Son played in Cal Ripken College Wood Bat league the summer after high school.
Yes, but he was very unique, throwing in the 90's at 17 if I recall!
My son was strongly encouraged to pitch for a travel team over the summer. It turned out that several of the incomming freshman pitchers (5) played for the same team.
It provided his college coaches an opportunity to evaluate them all against similar competition.
For my son it worked out OK.
It provided his college coaches an opportunity to evaluate them all against similar competition.
For my son it worked out OK.
Last time my son played was HS. Now that he's graduated college and working full time, he has the itch to play again and is considering playing in a competitive mens baseball league.
After HS, played in a couple of Local 18U tournaments and also played Legion Ball while taking some time off with planned vacations. Had an opportunity to play for a local Summer Collegiate Baseball league but decided not to at that time. Our previous Summers has always been baseball and we thought we wanted some time together as a family after his HS graduation. I believed this time together helped him re-charged and re-focused on what he want to achieve at the next level.
As per above, either the coach will communicate with you regarding a Summer Conditioning program or you will have to communicate with them for specifics. Either way, I thought it was a good way to stay in shape prior to fall testing ,practices, scrimmages.
His coach already told him to play locally in a Summer Collegiate League after his freshman year.
Good Luck to your son LODI14. Hope all the previous post helps.
BTW, Having a great time with son during the Winter break preparing for his first College spring season!
As per above, either the coach will communicate with you regarding a Summer Conditioning program or you will have to communicate with them for specifics. Either way, I thought it was a good way to stay in shape prior to fall testing ,practices, scrimmages.
His coach already told him to play locally in a Summer Collegiate League after his freshman year.
Good Luck to your son LODI14. Hope all the previous post helps.
BTW, Having a great time with son during the Winter break preparing for his first College spring season!
Son played on his summer team. He used it as an opportunity to pitch to mostly college bound players, which was not the case during the high school season and begin the adjustment to a higher level.